Lithuania
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Klaipeda
Klaipeda is the Baltic's northernmost ice-free port and Lithuania's sea gateway.
Services in Klaipeda
- Air freight in KlaipedaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in KlaipedaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in KlaipedaImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Klaipeda
- AirportPalanga
PLQ - AirportKaunas
KUN - SeaportPort of Klaipedaice-free
The Port of Klaipeda is Lithuania's only seaport and the northernmost ice-free port on the eastern Baltic coast, handling containers, ro-ro, bulk and liquid cargo all year round. Ferry lines connect Klaipeda with Germany and Sweden. For air freight, Palanga Airport (PLQ), north of the city, has passenger flights with limited cargo, so most air freight is routed via Kaunas (KUN) or Vilnius, reached along the A1 motorway.
The A1 motorway links Klaipeda with Kaunas and Vilnius, and the A13 leads north to Palanga and the Latvian border towards Liepaja. The port has rail connections to the national network, with container trains to inland terminals in Kaunas and Vilnius. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Klaipeda and western Lithuania.
Industries in Klaipeda and how we support them
Klaipeda's economy is built around the port: shipping, stevedoring and logistics, together with the Klaipeda Free Economic Zone, which hosts manufacturing and processing companies. Wood processing and furniture production are important in western Lithuania, and the city hosts an LNG import terminal. Ziem Logistics supports these businesses with sea freight FCL and LCL through the Port of Klaipeda, air freight through our airline network via Kaunas or Vilnius, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent spare parts, and in-house customs clearance for goods arriving by sea.
Operational logistics facts for Klaipeda
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Klaipeda | Containers, ro-ro, bulk, ice-free | Year-round sea access for Lithuania |
| Klaipeda ferry terminals | Ferry and ro-ro links to Germany and Sweden | Road freight to Western Europe and Scandinavia by sea |
| Klaipeda Free Economic Zone | Manufacturing and processing | Port-side location for production and distribution |
| Kaunas Airport (KUN) | Freighter capacity | Main air cargo option reached via the A1 |
Customs clearance in Lithuania
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Lithuania is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Air freight to and from Lithuania is booked through our carrier network.
Importers in Lithuania need an EORI number issued by Lithuanian Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport do you use for air freight from Klaipeda?
Usually Kaunas (KUN) or Vilnius, reached via the A1 motorway. Palanga (PLQ) has passenger flights with limited cargo. Shipments move as air freight through our airline network, and we confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you send urgent spare parts to a vessel in Klaipeda?
Yes. We arrange Next Flight Out or an On-Board Courier into Lithuania and coordinate delivery to the port with the ship's agent.
Can you combine sea and air freight via Klaipeda?
Yes. Most of an order can move by sea through Klaipeda while urgent items fly via Kaunas or Vilnius, managed in one shipment file.
Can you clear containers arriving at the Port of Klaipeda?
Yes. Our own customs team files the import declaration with Lithuanian Customs and coordinates release at the terminal. We need your EORI number, the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading.
Can goods arriving in Klaipeda be cleared elsewhere in Lithuania?
Yes. Containers can move under transit from the port to an inland customs office, for example in Kaunas or Vilnius, and be cleared there. We prepare transit and import declarations in-house.
Do wood and furniture exports need special documents?
Some destinations require phytosanitary certificates or treatment certificates for wood packaging and wood products. We prepare the export declaration and check the certificates required with you.